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GPAC Finalizes Edits to the MV2040 General Plan

MV2040 General Plan Update

Posted Date: 6/3/2013

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General Plan Advisory Committee and staff members

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Land Use and Mobility Working Group

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The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) held its final meeting on May 29th, providing final comments and considerations to staff for drafting an update to the Mill Valley General Plan (MV2040). This meeting marks the end of a 12-month peri od initiated by City Council to draft and update the City’s General Plan with the community--over 50 community meetings were held during this time period with 43 members of the public serving on various committees.

Drafting a General Plan in this time frame is a result of the dedication and collaboration that has occurred within the community. As Mayor and GPAC Chair, Andy Berman notes, “I want to thank the GPAC and the Working Groups, including the Arts Sub-committee, for all of their hard work. Of course, the tireless efforts of Staff and our consulting team deserve special recognition too. But most of all I want to thank our community, of which we are all a part, for embracing and appreciating the collaborative, inclusive approach we have taken to get to this point. We would not be here but for this community spirit - in fact a thirst - to create a shared vision for Mill Valley. I feel truly privileged and honored to be part of it.”

Final edits made at the GPAC meeting will be incorporated into a Draft MV2040 General Plan and will be available on the City’s website in July. Once the Draft MV2040 General Plan and related environmental review document is publicly released (July), Planning Commission and City Council hearings will be scheduled as part of the final review and adoption process. In the meantime, the draft Housing Element will be sent to the State Department of Housing and Community Development for review and a draft environmental impact report will be prepared by staff and consultants.

For more information on the overall process, see MV2040 Fact Sheet. Or visit the eNews Page and select “Mill Valley 2040 News” and “Meeting/Event - Mill Valley 2040” to receive updates directly to your email inbox.

Mill Valley's General Plan was last completely updated in 1989, with the Housing Element last updated in 2003. The GPAC has served as an oversight committee for three working groups (Land Use & Mobility, Community Vitality, and Natural Environment) and the Arts Subcommittee. Below is a list of names of those community members involved in preparing the MV2040 General Plan--thank you for your input and dedication to the City!

Final thoughts and message from City Manager, Jim McCann: "I've worked on several General Plan update efforts during my career and this has been, by far, the most constructive and rewarding. The process has yielded a document which will guide the community for many years reflecting the wonderful history of Mill Valley and retaining intact our special community character.

The community should be very proud of this effort which deliberately welcomed and included diverse voices and points of view and which has not only produced a draft General Plan, but has also served to bring the community together around and agreement of a shared vision for future of Mill Valley.

The staff, our consultants and most importantly, the many volunteers and community participants who were involved in the MV2040 effort are congratulated for this achievement. This is a wonderful example of local government in action: the community defining by itself and for itself the goals and policies to guide our future. Very exciting and fulfilling stuff!"

A General Plan is a comprehensive City document that includes maps and figures on existing conditions and provides consistent direction for the City and its residents through the identification of goals, policies and programs on various topics, including land use, housing, mobility, hazards, safety, community vitality, noise, conservation and natural environment. For more information, please click here.